My letter to Fox News Sunday

On today's Fox & Friends, you introduced a segment on gun safety training in Virginia schools, with a phrase (sorry, paraphrasing here) "teaching kids about 'packing heat.' " Such sensationalism completely mis-represented the real facts of the story, which had absolutely nothing to do with "packing heat." The real story was that the legislature of Virginia prescribed a formal set of teaching objectives for gun safety training in elementary schools, and some people were upset by this.

I wish that your presentation had stressed that the new teaching standards do more than simply promote fear and/or curiosity relative to firearms, but instead provide children with life-saving advice: "Don't touch" and "Leave the area" if they see a gun. This is far more useful than the "Guns = Bad" message in that it gives kids a simple, easily-remembered, and effective way to avoid mishaps while avoiding the political question of whether guns are "good" or "bad."

I've noticed that at least one of the weekend anchors (sorry, I never catch his name) always seems to handle issues dealing with firearms as if he's handling a dirty diaper. His distain for guns and gun owners comes across strong, and it casts doubt on his ability to be objective, or to at least appear objective. Please consider encouraging him (or the writers who support him) to attend a Firearms Safety or Personal Protection course. I am not suggesting that he be forced to change his views on the subject, but only that he try to gain a better understanding of the views of others and a better understanding of all the issues on both sides of the question. He'll be a better news commentator for it.

For what it's worth, no serious gun owner uses the term, "Packing heat." The media seems to love the term, but for most gun owners, it's just a warning that the rest of the news item will be one-sided and poorly researched.

they sensationalize everything and regard nothing but ratings and money... as good as your thoughts are i am afraid they will fall on deaf ears

RevDerb

April 26, 2010, 09:16 PM

Guys at Fox News- - -

On today's Fox & Friends, you introduced a segment on gun safety training in Virginia schools, with a phrase (sorry, paraphrasing here) "teaching kids about 'packing heat.' " Such sensationalism completely mis-represented the real facts of the story, which had absolutely nothing to do with "packing heat." The real story was that the legislature of Virginia prescribed a formal set of teaching objectives for gun safety training in elementary schools, and some people were upset by this.

I wish that your presentation had stressed that the new teaching standards do more than simply promote fear and/or curiosity relative to firearms, but instead provide children with life-saving advice: "Don't touch" and "Leave the area" if they see a gun. This is far more useful than the "Guns = Bad" message in that it gives kids a simple, easily-remembered, and effective way to avoid mishaps while avoiding the political question of whether guns are "good" or "bad."

I've noticed that at least one of the weekend anchors (sorry, I never catch his name) always seems to handle issues dealing with firearms as if he's handling a dirty diaper. His distain for guns and gun owners comes across strong, and it casts doubt on his ability to be objective, or to at least appear objective. Please consider encouraging him (or the writers who support him) to attend a Firearms Safety or Personal Protection course. I am not suggesting that he be forced to change his views on the subject, but only that he try to gain a better understanding of the views of others and a better understanding of all the issues on both sides of the question. He'll be a better news commentator for it.

For what it's worth, no serious gun owner uses the term, "Packing heat." The media seems to love the term, but for most gun owners, it's just a warning that the rest of the news item will be one-sided and poorly researched.

- - - Yoda (I gave Fox news my REAL name...)

==========================
Awesomely written, Yoda. I disagree with cyclopsshooter. Fox has been very responsive to my observations and even objections in the past. I will be watching threads to see if you receive anything back from them. I know that they get 1000's of emails but hopefully yours will stand out and prompt a response from them. Thanks for speaking up for many of us.

robhof

April 26, 2010, 09:37 PM

That's a great letter. I hope Fox responds positively. Of all the networks, Fox seems to have the most balanced view on guns, except for a very few as was pointed out.

THE DARK KNIGHT

April 26, 2010, 10:26 PM

LOL....FOX not sensationalizing something....yeah right....that's what they do man. Sorry. You wasted your time :(

shockwave

April 26, 2010, 10:48 PM

Fox News has nothing to do with being a source of journalism. They are nothing but simple entertainment for people who don't like reality. Supporting the NRA is the best way to promote the interests of gun owners.

hso

April 26, 2010, 11:15 PM

Sending emails and writing letters is good on an individual basis, but how do we get more people to send them the same message?

cyclopsshooter

April 26, 2010, 11:22 PM

should we make a sticky thread containing a modular essay written in proper english?

several concise letters and sub paragraphs regarding RTKBA

respectful

informative

no scary extremist stuff

a place to find templates or outright copy

dec41971

April 27, 2010, 12:01 AM

Fox News has nothing to do with being a source of journalism. They are nothing but simple entertainment for people who don't like reality. Supporting the NRA is the best way to promote the interests of gun owners.

Couldn't have said that better myself. They are a rating machine good at stoking fires and it doesn't matter what truth is, they just go after what will work their viewers the most and keep them coming back for more. :uhoh:

SA Town

April 27, 2010, 12:20 AM

As insightful as your post is, the fact is that they already reeled you in.

Ratings (positive / negative attention) were all they needed, and they got yours. People should stop evaluating these fake news shows that garner nothing but shock value and ignore them completely. Only then will they get the message.

m1009

April 28, 2010, 07:49 PM

Well, at least they talk about the issues- I think CNN is the worst culprit. All you get from them is disgust when the subject of guns is brought up. they are the most condescending bunch of reporters I've ever heard...:cuss:

atomd

April 28, 2010, 09:32 PM

And while we're at it, we need to get them to stop using the term "homicide bomber" instead of suicide bomber. How stupid is that? Every person who bombs any other person is technically a "homicide bomber"...heck, that's the point. If they kill themselves along with others with a bomb, they are a suicide bomber. Duh. :banghead:

Yoda

April 28, 2010, 10:09 PM

"Fully loaded" is another phrase I'd like to see dropped. It's almost a cliche to say "a fully-loaded handgun was found." When was the last time they said that a gun was "partially loaded?" Is the fact that a gun was "fully loaded' some sort of aggravating situation that calls for extra punishment?